GWBA Party in the Park event “A huge success”

During the Greater Williamston Business Association meeting Tuesday, members heard a report on Party in the Park and Williamston Mayor Mack Durham gave an update on town projects.

GWBA President Robin Tucker said the Party in the Park was a “huge success” and that there was “a wide variety of food to choose from to eat.” Tucker thanked sponsors and the Palmetto Junior Air Force ROTC unit which helped sell drinks during the event.

Tucker said Medshore and Williamston Police Department were there and the Restoration Church “did a really great job with the kids area.” Tucker also thanked the Town of Williamston for their support of the event.

Co-organizer Christ Trotter said crowds were hard to estimate because people were coming and going. He said it was “a huge success” and estimated 3000 to 4000 people attended the all day event.

In business, the GWBA unanimouly approved a donation of $600 to the Palmetto AFJROTC unit. The funds will help cadets attend the Southeaster Region Cadet Officer Summer Leadership School at Mercer University in Macon Georgia.

Member businesses are also being encouraged to help sponsor cadets attending the Leadership Training School.

With some help from the GWBA, eighteen Palmetto High AFJROTC cadets attended the SLS last year.

The GWBA will also be announcing plans for their fall golf tournament to be held in October.

Mayor Durham said the Envision Williamston workshop on Monday allowed residents to give input on the future of the downtown and surrounding area.

Durham said the focus on walking brings customers to the downtown area. He said the town is looking at providing more handicapped accessible sidewalks and walking trails and eventually downtown residential.

“Walkability and bikability is good for business,” he said.

Durham said that recent improvements at Brookdale Park included a small sidewalk and six truckloads of top soil along with some painting and refurbishing.

At the request of area residents, a shelter has been installed at the Gray Drive walking track.

In conjunction with the United Way, the town is moving ahead on Born Learning Trails for Brookdale and Mineral Spring Parks. The learning trails are designed for young children and encourage walking and learning in a fun way.

“We are trying to be more family oriented offering interactive activities,” the mayor said.

Durham also said that the town is installing a new updated phone system with professional voice messaging that will allow callers to actually get someone when they call.

The town is also updating a software for billing and accepting credit cards.

Durham said the town will be taking down signs in Mineral Spring Park that reflect policies with no enforceable ordinance behind them.

Durham said anyone interested in the issue can have input with the planning commission and the town will look into passing ordinances if needed.

There was some discussion about a designated smoking area in the park and for special events such as the GWBA Party in the Park held last week.